*see also: comedy, musicals, pantos, improv ... just all around great theatre.

04 November 2013

CON: “more twists than a JAFA sex scandal.”

CON producer Howard Taylor talks to drama on the waterfront about being conned and "spoilers".

"When I first read Gavin McGibbon’s
script for CON I was impressed with how smart and clever it is. Of course it
immediately had me remembering the times I have felt conned. Most of those times
seem to have happened when I was overseas playing tourist – a time when you are
out of your comfort zone and so a little insecure, and as a result, a little
paranoid.

The elderly gypsy woman at the gates of
the Alhambra
thrust a sprig of fresh rosemary into my hand. (Trick one: lower the mark’s
resistance by giving rather than taking.) Having gained my attention she then
insisted on telling me my fortune – I would have several more beautiful
children (despite my vasectomy) and, of course, live to a ripe old age. Finally
she demanded to be paid for the ‘service’.

Howard Taylor.

Then there was the tuk-tuk driver in
Bankok who promised to take us straight to the RoyalPalace
– once he had refuelled. While he was doing that he would just deposit us at
his uncle’s carpet/jewellery/souvenir emporium which was around the corner from
the petrol station. We refused his offer and walked away to find another
tuk-tuk. Suddenly he didn’t need to refuel and, grumbling and muttering, drove
us to the Palace. However we pulled up at a small gate in the Palace wall where
a crowd of tuk-tuk drivers hovered. Unfortunately, we were told, the palace
doesn’t open till after lunch so would we like a very cheap sightseeing trip
to…. No we wouldn’t thank you. And the main gate is just around the corner and
yes, the palace IS open for tours.

Mike Minogue and Jason Whyte in CON. Photo by Stephen A'Court.

Understanding that these people are
just trying to make a living doesn’t lesson the anger. It is easy to become
suspicious of everyone, but of course, most people are genuinely nice, helpful
and trustworthy – like you and me.

Which brings me back to CON. Gavin’s
characters are all living by their own moral codes. They each have their own
reasons for acting the way they do. Is there really honour among thieves? Gavin
asks us who do we trust? What makes us trust? Are we all actors using smoke and
mirrors to persuade the world we are other than we really are?

Trust is essential to love. What
happens when messy love thrusts itself into this tightly CONtrolled scene?

CON is getting great word-of-mouth from
pleased punters. One of the frustrations for writers and directors is avoiding
spoilers that give the game away for audiences before they see the show.
Admittedly, this can make a critic’s job more difficult but one of the skills
of critics is giving the flavour of the production without giving away the
surprises. We have been pleased by the lack of spoilers for a show that, more
than most, is dependent on the surprising, sometimes gob-smacking plot twists
and ‘how did they do that?’ magic. As Jarod, Word on the Street reviewer, said: CON “will leave you gasping!” And playwright Dave Armstrong said on Opening Night, CON
has “more twists than a JAFA sex scandal.” So tell your friends to go, but DON’T
GIVE AWAY THE PLOT."

- Howard Taylor

CON Producer

Paul McLaughlin and Mike Minogue in CON. Photo by Stephen A'Court.

CON is on in Circa Two until 23 November. To book, visit www.circa.co.nz or call the Circa Box Office on 801-7992.